Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez is set to travel to Portugal and Spain from October 6 to 9. His visit aims to engage with key partners across Europe on critical mineral supply chains while promoting trade and economic opportunities with the United States.

During his stay in Lisbon, Portugal, from October 6 to 8, Under Secretary Fernandez will meet with officials from the Ministry of Economy and Ministry of the Presidency. He will also engage with representatives from both Portuguese and U.S. private sectors, including leading companies in critical minerals, telecom, data centers, and energy sectors. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening economic ties as well as cooperation in critical minerals and energy throughout Europe.

Following his engagements in Portugal, Under Secretary Fernandez will travel to Madrid, Spain, from October 8 to 9. In Madrid, he plans meetings with the Office of the Presidency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Ecological Transition, along with private sector representatives such as leading Spanish green energy companies. Key topics will include regional economic opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean alongside fostering inclusive growth through the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity. Additionally, he will emphasize "the importance of critical minerals to building reliable global supply chains" while highlighting sustainable infrastructure initiatives via the Blue Dot Network.

For updates during this trip or further media inquiries about events open to press or scheduled interviews, interested parties can follow Under Secretary Fernandez on X:@State_E or contact E_Communications@state.gov.